Your next Car

[tnpartsguy]

Forget you are in the business. Drop brand loyalty.
Imagine you have a short drive to work (under 40 miles round trip, we'll say)
You make between $55K and $65K per year. And you can pay $500/mo towards a new/used car. What would you get? (It has to be capable of being daily driven).

[57years]

Used Lexus (fully optioed, of course)!

[steve_biegler]

Lets see...........I am going to guess you are a parts guy so I'm sure you enjoy looking up parts, ordering parts, selling parts. Because of this I would recommend a used Yugo. you would be able to do all the things you do at work even during your off time and with 500.00 a month to invest you could either buy parts or another car....every month!

[mr4t60e]

I guess the above problem is an example of one I'd really like to have.

In any event, I'd find a 3-5 year old Lexus LS like 57years suggested and use the remaining money for more recreational purposes.

[XDCX]

While I'm not currently in the market for a car, these are the cars that I'm currently attracted to: (Listed in order of preference)

1. 2000 - 2003 BMW M5
2. 2000 - 2008 Corvette or Corvette Z06
3. 2004 - 2007 Chrysler Crossfire

I think all of the cars listed would meet your criteria.

That said, I agree with the others that if you're looking for your best value it would probably make sense to find a used Lexus and keep driving it until the wheels fall off. I watch some of the high-mile Lexus vehicles sell at Copart and I'm often amazed at the prices - many of them go overseas.

Concerning new vs used, I know the industry needs people to buy new cars but it's hard to argue with the money that can be saved by buying a car that's a couple of years old.

[57years]

Well, Barry, the Pres, used GM, the younger, to terminate me. I have 3 ' Vettes, 2 sedans of special virtue in storage: I'm now done with driving their bull .... Vehicles. I bought 2 used lexus since then, and very pleased. If I can buy a part that is non domestic OEM, I will!

[Txflyer]

REAL happy with the 2013 Subaru Outback 2.5 Limited I just bought (well, except for the weak stereo). At this point I'd buy another, it does everything I need it to do while getting 30mpg highway.

[shwngo]

acura Tl-s or a new Tl awd. Nice, sporty, decent on fuel and comes loaded with everything.

[XDCX]

Originally Posted by tnpartsguy

Drop brand loyalty.

I understand you likely included this criteria so you could keep all of your options open, but I guess I'm old school because I still like it when dealership managers and their employees drive the brand of vehicle they sell or service.

In my opinion it's almost hard to buy a bad car in 2012. Sure there are still a few cars that have known product problems but for the most part I can think of at least one car from each OEM that I'd be happy to drive on a daily basis.

[tnpartsguy]

Originally Posted by XDCX

I understand you likely included this criteria so you could keep all of your options open, but I guess I'm old school because I still like it when dealership managers and their employees drive the brand of vehicle they sell or service.

In my opinion it's almost hard to buy a bad car in 2012. Sure there are still a few cars that have known product problems but for the most part I can think of at least one car from each OEM that I'd be happy to drive on a daily basis.

I work at our GM store. Both myself and my wife drive Hyundai's (our other brand). The only GM product that I care for personally is the Impala, and the full-size trucks/SUV's.

[79LilRedExpress]

I know it is my own product, but the Dodge Challenger would be my pick hands down.

First I don't need a four door.
I love the look,
It handles well,
I am comforable in the seat,
And with the Pentastar six (just under 300 h/p),
I get 32 MPG...and it still has plenty of power

I normally drive a car around 6 months and sell it.
This Challenger has been my daily driver since 2011 !
( Its the first set of tires that I will have to personally replace
since I got into the car business 35 years ago.)

[The StraightShooter]

I always wanted an Acura NSX

[XDCX]

Originally Posted by 79LilRedExpress

I know it is my own product, but the Dodge Challenger would be my pick hands down.

First I don't need a four door.
I love the look,
It handles well,
I am comforable in the seat,
And with the Pentastar six (just under 300 h/p),
I get 32 MPG...and it still has plenty of power

I normally drive a car around 6 months and sell it.
This Challenger has been my daily driver since 2011 !
( Its the first set of tires that I will have to personally replace
since I got into the car business 35 years ago.)

That would be a great choice. I love the styling of the Challenger and the availability of the 3.6 Pentastar has been a big improvement.

It's been awhile since I've studied the pricing of the Challenger versus the Mustang and Camaro, but I remember when the Challenger was first released the SE version was a great deal. It seems like the SRT models have been criticized for being too expensive but I don't think that applies to the lower trim packages.

[ohiobuckeyes]

Volvo S60 T6 AWD or Lexus IS250 AWD

Yet when I go to the Auto show and seat this these vehicles just not practical for a 6'2 male. Have to have the seat all the way to the back just to fit correctly.

Practical vehicle Jeep Grand Cherokee X or ALTITUDE package.

[tnpartsguy]

The car I want- Mini Countryman S (2wd- not All4)

What I'll end up with is probably a Hyundai Sonata Hybrid.